Anchors Away!

If we want to fill our heads with the doom and gloom society seems to thrive on, all we need to do is turn on the local news at night. To make that quantum leap toward personal happiness and success in life, sometimes we just need to do what so many people seem to be talking about lately: "clean house" and take personal inventory of the people we associate with most.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is, "Avoid the ugly people." Mind you, when I say ugly, it has nothing to do with physical appearance. The comment illustrates that to best achieve our goals and wants in life, we should surround ourselves with other like-minded people to support us on our journey. In other words, we need to clean house of our own "ugly people" who, for some strange reason, we feel the need to hold onto.

Maybe you'll relate to a personal example from my own life. On the surface, Mark (not his real name) was a pretty nice guy. I thought of him as my personal anchor, someone who kept me grounded and helped me stay on focus and direction. But every time I'd venture out into something new, Mark would put his "ugly" hat on. Rather than becoming a voice of reason or attempting to illuminate both sides of a given situation, he'd only tell me about the horrors of such an idea and how crazy it was for me to even think that way. He made it clear that without him, I'd float off into despair. (I mean, could you imagine me, of all people, wanting to write a book, start my own company, or dive into the volatile and unstable real estate market?)

Sounds funny now, huh? The moral of this story is that I allowed Mark to set my limitations. I forgot that people only have as much power over us as we give them.

In retrospect, Mark was correct: He was my anchor after all, because I allowed him to hold me back from sailing toward prosperity earlier in my life when I first wanted to take that leap. Until I grew strong enough to cut the tie and move forward on my own, I allowed myself to be restrained by his idea of what success should be.

Bottom line, I rolled up my sleeves and set myself free . . . anchors away!

Remember, only you know what you're capable of, so if you're going to choose to live up to someone's expectations, shouldn't they be your own?

With that said, here's my challenge. Take a moment to reflect on any "ugly" people who may be taking up space in your head (rent free), and gently let them go. You deserve better. In fact, you deserve the best. Never, ever let another person hold you back from your dreams.

Now, don't do what I say, do what I did. Roll up your sleeves and set yourself free as well.

Anchors away!

Best wishes always, and whatever you do,

Keep smiling!

************************************

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

About The Author

Greg Reid, GregReid@AlwaysGood.com

http://alwaysgood.com

Gregory Scott Reid is a Well-Known Speaker and two-time #1 best-selling author of, "The Millionaire Mentor" and "Wake Up: Live the Life You Love" www.AlwaysGood.com

In The News:


Jarvis uses size as motivation
ESPN - 6 hours ago
At the same time, I just use that as motivation. Every game I go out with a chip on my shoulder trying to prove people wrong." Jarvis rushed for 1669 yards ...

Auf’d Designer Daniel: My Motivation Died A Little
People Magazine - 3 hours ago
I definitely got scared, so the motivation died a little inside of me. After the Olympic challenge, it was like, “Whoa Daniel — just play it safe here. ...

The Associated Press

US women have plenty of motivation
NBC13.com, AL - 12 hours ago
By AP BEIJING (AP) - The US women's basketball team doesn't need any extra motivation to try and win its fourth straight Olympic gold medal. ...
US juggernaut rolls into semifinal matchup with Russia Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 299 news articles

Seminar on motivation at work place
The Statesman, India - Aug 20, 2008
He emphasised that motivation is the phenomenon which enables the human resource to achieve results that were earlier considered unattainable. ...

Muna Lee uses 100 disappointment for 200 motivation
Boston Herald, United States - Aug 19, 2008
By Mechelle Voepel / McClatchy Newspapers BEIJING - The 100 meters certainly was disappointing for Muna Lee. But she’s trying to look on the good side of it ...

Best Syndication

Oh Where To Find The Motivation to Get Fit
Best Syndication, CA - 8 minutes ago
So many people make New Year resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, lose weight, and get in shape. Every January, memberships at fitness centers tend ...

Motivation to catch the reading bug hard to swallow
KTKA.com, KS - 23 hours ago
"It's totally worth it. If I can get more kids to read, it's really worth it," Flanders said. "It was pretty interesting. It was crunchy and disgusting...," ...

David Beckham: Hottest Abs in Hollywood
Just Jared, NY - 2 hours ago
And personally, I’ve found that there’s no better motivation that knowing I’m going to be practically naked in front of millions of strangers every week. ...
The 10 hottest abs in Hollywood New York Daily News
all 2 news articles

Motivation Weight Management Clinic, Waterford celebrates 1 Year ...
Waterford Today, Ireland - Aug 20, 2008
The Motivation Weight Management Clinic Waterford first opened its doors in July 2007 on Canada Street in Waterford. Since then it has yielded fantastic ...

West Islip = Consistency
Newsday, NY - 1 hour ago
That's the motivation behind this year's West Islip squad. They are tired of being beaten in the county final or the semifinals. They want more. ...
motivation - Google News

Life Rewards Action

Thinking is good, yes it is. I strongly encourage thinking.... Read More

Whats Stopping You?

We're all familiar with the cycle:We want new, but resist... Read More

Ending Procrastination

Perseverance is about as important to achievement as gasoline is... Read More

Motivation; 5 Steps to Get the Changes You Want

Q: I just read your column in today's' Greensboro News... Read More

Need Help? Look Within First

After eating a turkey and dressing sandwich for breakfast, I... Read More

The Art of Scripting Your Life

Writing a 'life script' is like writing a movie script.... Read More

5 Great Ways To Overcome Procrastination At Home

If you procrastinate at home you may suffer some consequences... Read More

Commit To Applying Lessons Learned

When growing up as a child, the concept of learning... Read More

Dismantle Self Imposed Limits

Round about us is an invisible box that we have... Read More

A Formula For Improved Achievement

Your ability to perform in life is determined by a... Read More

Achieving Your Dreams

While most people spend most of their lives struggling to... Read More

The Rate of Change

There have been many discussions and grumblings in the Western... Read More

Walking a New Road

(excerpted from the Take Charge of Your Life 6 CD... Read More

Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline... Read More

Five Great Ideas From Aristotle

It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More

Whats Your Aging in American IQ? Take the Quiz and Find Out.

TRUE or FALSE1. Older adults have more mental health problems... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late

Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More

Taking Responsibility

Taking action about our current station in life involves taking... Read More

Why You Should Write Your Obituary Today

Writing your own obituary sounds and feels a little strange,... Read More

These Are The Good Ole Days

I am sitting here at a public access wireless location... Read More

The Top Ten Strategies to Employ When You Feel Like Quitting

Ever feel like quitting? "Are you kidding?" you ask, "A... Read More

About Creating a New Life

1. Where do I start to create a new life?There... Read More

A Burning Desire

"Mommy, he's doing it again." I yelled as I came... Read More

What is your Altitude?

It is something that everyone ? and I do mean... Read More

Nine Reasons To Embrace Failure

I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More